Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-19

.lHAl DIOllCluE III ifN
me thinks, a melancholy proof OF the im-
perfection of the human UNDERSTANDINGS
We indeed seem to feel our own want o'
political wisdom, since we have been rum
ming about il search of it. We have gone
back TO ancient history, for models Of gov
eminent, and examined the dit1aJent forms
of those republics, which having Deem
formed with the seeds of their own ulSso-
luton now no longer exist. In thus sltua-
ton of this assembly, cropping as 1t were
in the dark to find political truth u
scarce able todistinguish it when presented
to us, how has it happened sir that we
have not heretofore once thought ofhumoiy
applying to the father of light to iliumi-
nate our understandings"
And this man proposing TO his fellows
that the aid and blessing OF God.
SHOULD BE INVOKED
in their extremity, declared: 81 have lived
sir, a long time, and the longer | live the
more convincing proofs / see OF the truth
that God governs in the affairs OF men, and
if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground
without bis notice is it probable that an
empire can rise without his aid? We hav'
been assured, sir, in the sacred writings
that except the Lord build the house, they
labor in vain that build it. / firmly
believe this and / also believe that with
out bis concurring aid, we shall succeed
in this political building 10 better than
fhe builder of Babel, we shall be divided
by our little partial n local interests.
Our projects will be COMPOUNDED and we
ourselves shall become u
REPROACH AND 4 BY-WORD
down 10 future ages; and, what is worse,
mankind may hereafter, from the unfortu-
nate instance, despair of establishing gov
ernments by human wisdom and leave 1t
to chance, war and conquest"
In the face Of all discouragements the
father of the republic labored on for four
long, weary months, in alternate hope and
fear, out always with rugged resolves.
never faltering in q sturdy endeayOr, sane
titled by q prophetic sense Of the value to
pOsterity of their success, and always with
unhinching faces in the principles which
make the foundation ofa government by
the people. At last their task was done.
1t was related that upon the back Of the
chair occupied by Washington rs the
president of the convention a
SUN WAS PAINTED,
and that as the delegates were signing the
completed constitution, one OF them said:
81 have often and often, in the course of
the session, and in the soliCitude of my
hopes, looked ut that behind the President
without being able TO tell whether it IA
rising or setting, but now at length / know
that it is q rising and not a setting sun"
We stand to-day on the spot where this
rising sun emerged from political night
and darkness, and in its own bright mer-
idian light we mark its glorious way.
Clouds have sometimes obscured its rays,
and dreadful storms have made us fear,
but God has held it in its course, and
through its lifc-giving warmth has per-
formed his latest miracle in the creation OF
THIS wONDROss LAND
and people.
As we look down the past century, to
the origin OF. our constitution; as We con-
template its trials and its triumphs; as we
realize how completely the principles upon
which it is based nave met every national
peril and every national need. How de
vOutly we should confess, with Franklin,
God governs the affairs of men!' And
how solemn should he the reflection that
to our hands is committed the spark of the
peoples covenant, and that ours is the
duty to shield it from impiOus hands. We
receive it sealed with the tests Of a cen
fury. 1t has been found sufficient in the
past and in all the future years it will be
found sufficient if the American people are
true 10 their sacred trusts. Another cen
tennial day will come, and millions yet
unborn will inquire
CONCERNING U STEWARDSHIP
and the safety of their Constitution. God
grant that they may find it umimpaired,
and rs we rejoice in the patriotism and de-
yotion of those who lived = hundred years
ago, SO may others who follows us rejoice
in orr fidelity and in our Jealous love for
constitutional liberty.
While President Cleveland was in the
middle of his remarks the soft, mellow
sound of the bell in the cupola of the State
House, which occupies the place of honor
on the structure wherein repOSe that
cracked and ~time.stained mass of metal,
the liberty bell, rang out the hour Of
twelve, and ut each stroke IA rousing cheer
went up from the crowd. The President
was obliged to stop talking for a few sec
onds. 1t was Just laos when the Presi-
dent uttered his last word. and he at once
returned to his seat. Before he echo OF
the words had died away there was a cheer
ing which was dcafening. While the APP
plause was still going on the chorus broke
into a patriotic air. The din was terrible.
As far a. the eye could reach there was one
solid, seething, surging mass OF humanity,
and then their Threats opened in unison
THEY FILLED II AIR
and made an inspiring scene. When quiet
once more reigned Chief Justice Samuel r.
Miller, ofthe United States Supreme Court,
appeared and stepping quickly to the front
of the stand and facing the assembled dig
~nitaries began the delivery of his memo
rial Grafton.
At twenty minutes past one o'clock the
memorial address was concluded, having
occupied Just one hour and ten minutes.
Just as Justice Miller was seated the band
struck up Hail Columbia" and as an ac-
cOmpaniement to the chorus two Thousand
strong new words contributed by Oliver
Wendell Holmes were used, aud as the
popular air loated into space it was caught
up by many of the crowd. This, with the
beating of time by thousands of feet on the
stand, produced an effect that will linger
long in the memories of those who wit
messed the scene. The new national
hymn, which was contributed by Marion
Crawford, was then recited by Prof. Muir
doch, with a chorus Of two hundred mems
voices. An impressive benediction was
then pronounced by the Rev, Jere Wither'
spoon, OF Nashville, Tennessee, this being
the only alteration made in the programme
as arranged some time ago.
Just as the benedictiOn concluded the
Marine Band began rendering a march and
| the President and Mrs. Cleveland, arm in
arm, walked to the hont of the stand and
bowed again and again in acknowledge
ment of the laundering applause from
those who had stood in the square.
A wild rush was made over chairs and
milings in the stand to the place where
they stood, and the President gave a short
bat involuntary reception to those who
succeeded in reaching him. As they passed
out they walked directly underneath the